Electronic camera with internal fixed album memory

ABSTRACT

A convenient and practical apparatus for transporting digital images for display is achieved by incorporating an internally fixed base camera memory into an electronic or hybrid camera. Specifically, a camera includes a digital imaging system (16, 70) for generating a first digital image of first resolution in response to an exposure signal, a first storage memory (124) for receiving and storing the first digital image generated by the digital imaging system, a fixed memory or a removable memory interface connector (130) for receiving a removable memory device, and a processor (120) for controlling the transfer of the first digital image from the first storage memory to the fixed memory or removable memory interface connector for subsequent storage in a removable memory device, when a removable memory device is coupled to the removable memory interface connector. The processor selectively generates a second digital image of a second resolution lower than the first resolution from the first digital image stored in at least one of the first storage memory or a fixed memory or a removable memory device coupled to the removable memory interface connector in response to a display signal. A display screen (36) is provided in the camera for receiving and displaying the second digital image generated by the processor. The second digital image displayed on the display screen is selective stored in a second storage memory (126) in response to a storage signal entered via an operator interface (74). The images stored in the second storage memory constitute album images that remain with the camera until specifically deleted by the camera operator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to cameras that generate digital imagesfor storage on a removable storage medium. More specifically, theinvention relates to a camera that includes an internally fixed albummemory for storing selected digital images as album images, as well asstoring digital images on the removable storage medium. The invention isparticularly directed to a hybrid camera that includes both a digitalimaging system and a silver-halide imaging system, wherein a digitalimage corresponding to either a digital image to be stored on aremovable storage medium or an image captured on photographic film canbe stored as an album image in the fixed album memory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There have been a number of conventional electronic still cameras andhybrid cameras either proposed and/or commercially developed. Inconventional electronic still cameras, electronic images are generallycaptured and stored on a recording medium that can be removed from thecamera or are alternatively transmitted by a data link to a remotelocation. Early electronic and hybrid cameras, for example, utilizedmagnetic recording disks as an image storage medium, while more recentdevelopments in electronics have led to the use of semiconductor devicememory cards. With electronic imaging either alone or in conjunctionwith conventional silver halide imaging gaining popularity, a need hasarisen for providing a mechanism to allow an individual to retainselected digital images that can be carried in portable fashion fordisplay to friends and colleagues; much in the same way thatconventional photographic prints can be carried in a photographic albumsection of a wallet.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a camera thatincorporates an electronic imaging system for generating digital images,alone or in conjunction with a silver-halide imaging system, and amechanism for storing selected digital images within the camera forsubsequent display, thereby providing a convenient and practicalapparatus for transporting digital images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a convenient and practical apparatus fortransporting digital images for display by incorporating an internallyfixed base camera memory into an electronic or hybrid camera.Specifically, a camera according to the invention includes a digitalimaging means for generating a first digital image of a first resolutionin response to an exposure signal; a first storage means for receivingand storing the first digital image generated by the digital imagingmeans; processing means for selectively generating, in response to adisplay signal, a second digital image from the first digital imagestored in the first storage means; a display screen for receiving anddisplaying the second digital image generated by the processing means; asecond storage means for selectively storing the second digital imagegenerated by the processing means and displayed on the display screen inresponse to a storage signal; and an operator interface means forgenerating the exposure signal, the display signal and the storagesignal.

The digital imaging means may generate an additional first digital imagein response to each of a plurality of subsequent exposure signalsreceived from the operator interface; so that, each additional firstdigital image replaces a previously stored first digital image in thefirst storage means. The operator interface means may include means forgenerating and supplying scroll signals to the processing means; sothat, the processing means, in response to the scroll signals,selectively generates a plurality of second images corresponding to thefirst digital images; and the screen display means displays the seconddigital images.

In a hybrid version, the camera may include photographic imaging meansfor imaging a subject scene onto a photographic film plane of the cameraunder control of the processing means. In the hybrid camera, theoperator interface includes an image mode selector for selecting atleast one of a film imaging mode, a hybrid imaging mode and the digitalimaging mode of operation. The photographic imaging means images thesubject scene onto the photographic image plane in the film imaging modeand the hybrid imaging mode to generate a corresponding photographicfilm image on a photographic film located at the photographic imagingplane that corresponds with the first digital image. The second digitalimage may have a second resolution lower than, equal to, or greater thanthe first resolution.

The camera may also include a removable memory interface connectionmeans for receiving a removable memory device; so that, the processingmeans also controls transfer of the first digital image from the firststorage means to the removable memory interface connection means forsubsequent storage in a removable memory device when a removable memorydevice is coupled to the removable memory interface means; and theprocessing means generates the second digital image from the firstdigital image stored in at least one of the first storage means and aremovable memory device coupled to the removable memory interfaceconnection means. In this embodiment, the digital imaging meansgenerates an additional first digital image in response to each of aplurality of subsequent exposure signals received from the operatorinterface; so that, each additional first digital image replaces apreviously stored first digital image in the first storage means; andthe processing means controls the transfer of each additional firstdigital image to the removable memory interface means for subsequentstorage in the removable memory device, when the removable memory deviceis coupled to the removable memory interface means, such that aplurality of first digital images are stored in the removable memorydevice. As in the previous embodiments, the operator interface means mayinclude means for generating and supplying scroll signals to theprocessing means; so that, the processing means, in response to thescroll signals, selectively generates a plurality of second imagescorresponding to the first digital images; and the screen display meansdisplays the second digital images. This embodiment also may include aphotographic imaging means for imaging a subject scene onto aphotographic film plane of the camera under control of the processingmeans. The operator interface may include an image mode selector forselecting one of a film imaging mode, a hybrid imaging mode and thedigital imaging mode of operation. The photographic imaging means mayimage the subject scene onto the photographic image plane in the filmimaging mode and the hybrid imaging mode to generate a correspondingphotographic film image on a photographic film located at thephotographic imaging plane that corresponds with the first digitalimage.

Another embodiment of the camera may include mode selection means forselecting at least one of a film capture mode, a digital capture mode ora hybrid capture mode of operation; digital imaging means for generatinga first digital image of a first resolution in the digital capture mode,the film capture mode and the hybrid capture mode in response to anexposure signal; a photographic film transport mechanism; photographicfilm imaging means for imaging scene light onto an image plane of thefilm transport mechanism in response in the film capture mode or thehybrid capture mode of operation in response to an exposure signal; afirst storage means integrated with the camera for receiving and storingthe first digital image generated by the digital imaging means; and asecond storage means integrated with the camera, wherein the secondstorage means includes an album image storage section and a film imagestorage section. A first processing means is included for generatingfrom the first digital image a second digital image of a secondresolution smaller than the first resolution, wherein the secondresolution corresponds to an aspect ratio of the photographic imagingmeans, and for generating from the first digital image a third digitalimage of a third resolution lower than the first resolution and thesecond resolution in the film capture mode and storing the third digitalimage in the film image storage section of the second storage means. Adisplay means selectively displays at least one of the first digitalimage, the second digital image and the third digital image in responseto a display signal. Uniquely in accordance with the invention, asecond, album image processing means is provided for selecting at leastone of the first digital image, the second digital image and the thirddigital image as an album image and for storing the album image in thealbum storage section of the second memory in response to an albumselect signal. An operator interface is provided for generating theexposure signal, the display signal and the album select signal.

The display means preferably displays at the third resolution; and thesecond memory means preferably stores at the third resolution. The firstprocessing means may include compression means for compressing the thirddigital image prior to storage in the album image memory section. Thealbum image storage section may be divided into sub-album image storagesections, and the album processing means stores the selected digitalimage in a sub-album storage section corresponding to a characteristicof the selected digital image. The album processing means mayselectively supply the album image stored in the album image storagesection to the display means for display in response to an album displaysignal supplied by the operator interface means. A plurality of albumimages may be stored in the album image storage section and the albumprocessing means may sequentially supply the plurality of album imagesto the display means for display in response to an album display signalsupplied by the operator interface means.

A version of the preceding embodiment may include a removable memoryinterface means for receiving a removable memory device; so that thefirst processing means also controls transfer of the first digital imagefrom the first storage means to the removable memory interface in thedigital capture mode for subsequent storage in a removable memory deviceand transfers the second digital image to the removable memory interfacemeans in the hybrid capture mode for subsequent storage in a removablememory device. The processing means may include compression means forcompressing the first digital image and the second digital image priorto transfer to the removable memory interface. The compression means mayfurther compress the third digital image prior to storage in the albumimage memory section. The album image storage section may be dividedinto sub-album image storage sections, and the album processing meansmay store the selected digital image in a sub-album storage sectioncorresponding to a characteristic of the selected digital image. Thealbum processing means may selectively supply the album image stored inthe album image storage section to the display means for display inresponse to an album display signal supplied by the operator interfacemeans. A plurality of album images may be stored in the album imagestorage section and the album processing means may sequentially supplythe plurality of album images to the display means for display inresponse to an album display signal supplied by the operator interfacemeans.

A camera according to the invention also may provide the first andsecond storage means as sections of a single base memory. The operatorinterface means also may be for deleting images from the first storagemeans without deleting corresponding images from the second storagemeans. A display mode selection switch may be included for selecting thefirst digital image or the second digital image for display.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent andappreciated after review of the following detailed description of theinvention, the appended claims and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail below with referenceto the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a camera in accordance with the presentinvention illustrated with a lens cover in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the camera of FIG. 1 with the lens coverillustrated in an extended position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the camera illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the camera illustrated in FIG. 2 with the lenscover in the extended position;

FIG. 5 is a back view of the camera illustrated in FIG. 1 with the lenscover in the closed position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the system architecture of thecamera illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the functional division of a basecamera memory illustrated in the schematic block diagram of FIG. 6 intoa camera status storage section, an album image storage section, and afilm mode image storage section;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a user interface window displayed on themain screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5 for selecting a scrolloption;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a user interface window displayed on themain screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5 for selecting a startingimage for the scrolling function illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a user interface window displayed on themain screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5 for selecting a specificimage number as a starting image for the scrolling function illustratedin FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a graphical user interface displayed onthe main screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5 for a title function;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a graphical user interface displayed onthe main screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5 for an image formatfunction;

FIGS. 13A, B, C and D are illustrations of the a digital mode imageformat, a hybrid or film mode HDTV image format, a hybrid or film modepanoramic image format and a hybrid or film mode classic image format;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an image record for adigital image;

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a graphical user interface displayed onthe main screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5 for an albumfunction;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a graphical user interface displayed onthe main screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5 for a slide showfunction;

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a current film order status windowdisplayed on the main screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 18 is an illustration of a graphical user interface displayed onthe main screen display unit illustrated in FIG. 5 for enteringcartridge identification information;

FIG. 19 is schematic diagram illustrating the connection of a camera inaccordance with the invention to a host computer; and

FIG. 20 is an illustration of a graphical user interface displayed on amonitor of the host computer illustrated in FIG. 19 for entering cameracommands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A hybrid camera in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 1 asincluding a main camera body 10 on which a sliding lens cover 12 isattached. A silver-halide optical system 14 and a digital imagingoptical system 16 are located behind the sliding lens cover 12, and areboth exposed to scene light when the sliding lens cover 12 is extendedas illustrated in FIG. 2. An electronic flash unit 18 is preferablylocated on a top edge of the sliding lens cover 12, such that theextension of the lens cover 12 places the electronic flash unit 18 in aposition sufficiently distant from the silver-halide optical system 14and the digital imaging optical system 16 to prevent the occurrence of"red eye" in photographic and digital images captured by the camera. Inthe illustrated embodiment, a separate optical viewfinder 20 is providedadjacent to the lens cover 12, although it will be understood thatviewfinders incorporated within or utilizing elements of either thesilver-halide optical system 14 and/or the digital imaging opticalsystem 16 may be readily employed. The optical viewfinder 20 includes amasking device, for example a segmented LCD or mechanical mask, that isused to match the image viewed by a camera operator through theviewfinder 20 to a corresponding image format selected by the cameraoperator. In a preferred embodiment, the optical viewfinder 20 providesseveral different aspect ratios including: a full VGA aspect ratiocorresponding to an aspect ratio, such as 4:3, of the digital imagingoptical system 16; an HDTV aspect ratio corresponding to the aspectratio, such as 7:4, of the silver-halide optical system 14; a classicfilm aspect ratio, such as 10:7; and a panoramic aspect ratio, such as20:7. The HDTV, classic and panoramic aspect ratios are the same asthose used for the Advanced Photo System (APS) cameras introduced in1996.

A top view of the camera body 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3. A liquidcrystal display (LCD) status unit 22 is provided on the top of the maincamera body 10 to display various camera status data to the cameraoperator. The LCD status unit 22 is roughly partitioned into threeareas: an area for displaying information specific to film images; anarea for displaying information specific to digital images; and ageneral information area that displays information related to both filmimages and digital images. In addition to the status unit 22, variousoperator controls are provided on the top of the camera body 10including an image capture mode selector switch 23, a shutter button 24,a zoom control switch 25, a picture taking mode selector switch 26, aflash mode selector switch 28, a timer mode selector switch 30, and animage format selector switch 32. As illustrated, image capture modeswitch 23 allows for settings of Digital, Hybrid or Film. However, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that many features of the inventionwould be applicable in cameras where only Digital and Hybrid modes areprovided, or only Digital and Film, or only Hybrid and Film, or onlyHybrid. The LCD status unit 22 is preferably mounted on a hinged supportelement 34 that is coupled to the lens cover 12, such that the LCDstatus unit 22 is tilted toward the camera operator when the lens cover12 is extended during an image capture operation as shown in FIG. 4.

A color main screen display unit 36 is provided on the back of the maincamera body 10, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and is preferably recessedfrom the back surface of the main camera body 10 for protection. A mainscreen operator control unit 38 is provided adjacent to the main screendisplay unit 36 and includes an edit switch 40, an exit switch 42 and adirectional switch unit 44. The directional switch unit 44 is preferablya four directional thumb pad segmented into four different individualdirectional switches including an up directional switch 46, a downdirectional switch 50, a right directional switch 48 and a leftdirectional switch 52. It will be understood, however, that other typesof directional switch units, for example track balls, pressure pads,etc., may be readily employed to enter directional signals. The mainscreen operator control unit 38 is utilized in conjunction with elementsof graphical user interfaces displayed on the main screen display unit36 to control various camera functions that will be described in greaterdetail below.

The main camera body 10 is also provided with a memory card door 54, abattery compartment door 56 and a film chamber door 58 as illustrated inFIG. 5. The memory card door 54 is provided to protect a memory cardinterface connector located in the main camera body 10. The batterycompartment door 56 and film chamber door 58 are provided in the bottomof the main camera body 10 in a conventional manner to provide access toan internal film chamber and a battery compartment.

The overall system architecture of the hybrid camera is provided in FIG.6. The basic system components of the system architecture include thesilver-halide optical system 14, the digital imaging optical system 16,the electronic flash unit 18, the optical viewfinder 20, a filmtransport unit 60, a range finding module 62, a light sensor 64, a maincamera controller 68, an analog subsystem unit 70, a digital subsystemunit 72, a camera operator interface 74, and a power supply unit 76. Adetailed description of each of the basic system components will beprovided below.

The silver-halide optical system 14 preferably includes a multi-elementlens 78, an aperture/shutter mechanism 80, and a zoom/focus mechanism82. The operation of the aperture/shutter mechanism 80 and zoom/focusmechanism 82 is controlled in a conventional manner by the main cameracontroller 68 to adjust focusing and exposure operations of thesilver-halide optical system 14 in response to various inputs includingsignals received from the range finding module 62, the light sensor 64,the shutter button 24, and zoom control switch 25. The silver-halideoptical system 14 is located within the camera body 10 to focus asubject image on a film plane 100 of the film transport 60 during both afilm image capture mode of operation and a hybrid image capture mode ofoperation as will be described in greater detail below.

The digital imaging optical system 16 includes a fixed focus, dual focallength, multielement lens 84, a blur filter 86, a telephoto drivemechanism 88, and an aperture drive mechanism 90. The telephoto drivemechanism 88 moves part of the lens 84 to provide multiple focal lengthsin accordance with instructions received from the main camera controller68. Similarly, under control of the main camera controller 68, theaperture drive mechanism 90 adjusts an aperture 92 of the digitaloptical system 16 to a desired setting. The digital imaging opticalsystem 16 is located within the camera body 10 to focus a subject imageonto an electronic CCD image sensor 94 provided within the analogsubsystem unit 70.

The optical viewfinder 20 is preferably mechanically linked to thezoom/focus mechanism 82 of the silver-halide optical system 14 via amechanical linkage 83, such that operation of the zoom/focus mechanism82 causes a corresponding change in the optical system 21 of the opticalviewfinder 20. The optical viewfinder 20, as discussed above, includes amasking device 23 that is utilized to appropriately frame the subjectimage for different imaging formats selected by the camera operator withthe image format selector switch 32. In the preferred embodiment, iconslocated within the viewfinder 20 indicate various operating modes of thecamera including digital image capture mode, film image capture mode orhybrid image capture mode. In addition, conventionallight-emitting-diode (LED) status indicators are provided within theoptical viewfinder 20 to inform the camera operator of various cameraconditions while the camera operator is looking through the viewfinder20.

The electronic flash unit 18, the range finding module 62 and the lightsensor 64 are of conventional design. A Fuji AF-Module FM6224T31(available from Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. of Japan), for example, ispreferably utilized as the range finding module 62 to provide subjectdistance information to the main camera controller 68. Although thelight sensor 64 can be implemented as a discrete component to providelight level data to the main camera controller 68, it is preferable toutilize the CCD image sensor 94 provided in the analog subsystem unit 70to perform the light sensing operation in additional to image capture.Individual pixel elements or groups of pixel elements within the CCDimage sensor 94, for example, are sampled prior to an exposure operationto provide light level data to the main camera controller 68, therebyeliminating the need for a separate light level sensor.

The film transport unit 60 includes a conventional film drive 96 thatadvances photographic film from a film cartridge located in a filmchamber 98 to the image plane 100 of the film transport unit 60, wherethe photographic film is exposed to scene light by the silver-halideoptical system 14 described above, and then to a winding spool 102. Thefilm drive 96 also works in reverse in a conventional manner to rewindexposed film from the winding spool 102 back into the cartridge locatedin the film chamber 98 in response to a rewind signal provided eitherautomatically from the main camera controller 68 or by the activation ofa rewind switch on the camera operator interface 74. Various sensors,including a film perforation sensor 104 and cartridge sensors 106, areprovide within the film transport unit 60 to provide informationregarding the presence and type of the film cartridge and the advance ofthe film to the main camera control unit 68 in a conventional manner. Inaddition, at least one magnetic head 108 is provided to write datasupplied from the main camera controller 68 to a magnetic layer providedon the photographic film. For example, as in the known film for APScameras, specific areas located adjacent to each photographic image aredefined as camera magnetic recording tracks and photo-finisher magneticrecording tracks where data is magnetically recorded on a magnetic layerof the photographic film. In some applications, it is also desirable forthe magnetic head 108 to read data already provided on the magneticlayer of the photographic film for transfer to the main cameracontroller 68.

The analog subsystem unit 70 includes the CCD image sensor 94, avertical clock drive circuit 110, a horizontal clock drive circuit 112and support electronics for the CCD image sensor 94 including acorrelated double sample (CDS) circuit 114, a programmable gainamplifier 116, and an analog-to-digital (AID) converter 118. In apreferred embodiment, the CCD image sensor 94 is a KAI-0320CM device(manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, N.Y.) that includesa 640×480 array of imaging elements with a Bayer color filter array. Thesignal from the CCD image sensor 94 is provided to the CDS circuit 114,which takes into account a pixel by pixel reference level provided bythe CCD image sensor 94. The signal output from the CDS circuit 114 issupplied to the programmable gain stage 116. The use of the programmablegain stage 116 allows the operating range of the system to be extendedunder low light conditions by boosting the signal level received fromthe CCD image sensor 94. The programmable gain stage 116 is programmeddigitally via a serial data connection provided to the digital subsystemunit 72. The AID converter 118 converts the sampled and amplified analogsignal output from the programmable gain stage 116 into a ten bitdigital value. The CDS circuit 114, the programmable gain stage 116, andthe A/D converter 118 are preferably implemented with a Philips TDA8786integrated circuit device. The TDA8786 integrated circuit device alsoincludes a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter (not shown) that is used tocontrol the substrate voltage of the CCD image sensor 94, therebyeliminating the need for a potentiometer or other adjustment to providethis function. Accordingly, manufacturing adjustments for variations indifferent CCD image sensors are greatly simplified. The D/A converter ofthe TDA8786 integrated circuit device is programmed by the same serialdata connection to the digital subsystem 72 used to program theprogrammable gain stage 114.

The digital subsystem unit 72 includes a microcontroller 120, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 122 that includes varioustiming and data handling circuits, a DRAM or non-volatile working memory124, a non-volatile base camera flash memory 126, a read only memory(ROM) 128, a memory card interface connector 130 for receiving anonvolatile memory card, LCD interface drive circuitry 132 for drivingthe main screen unit 36, and a standard communications interface circuit134 (for example RS232) coupled to a data communications port 136provided on the main camera body 10. The digital subsystem unit 72 worksin cooperation with the main camera controller 68 to control theoperation of the various system components. In addition, the digitalsubsystem unit 72 interfaces with a host computer to perform variousoperations when the main camera body 10 is coupled to the host computervia the data communications port 136. The data communications port 136can either be a hard wire type communications port (i.e. requiring aphysical connection to the host computer) or a wireless typecommunication port (for example infrared or RF).

The microcontroller 120 is preferably implemented using a MotorolaMPC823 PowerPC based reduced instruction set (RISC) microcontroller. Inaddition to the PowerPC core, this device includes a serial datacommunications channel for host communication, timers for monitoring orcontrolling the lengths of events, an LCD controller for providing imagedata to the main screen display unit 36, and some digital signalprocessing (DSP) capabilities to facilitate processing image data. ADRAM controller is also provided by the MPC823 device to allow a directconnection to common DRAM type memories, and bit addressableinput/output ports provide for low level control of digital imagecapture mechanisms, for example, serially programming the PhilipsTDA8786 integrated circuit device in the analog subsystem unit 70,providing low speed clock signals (line rate and frame rate) to theanalog subsystem unit 70, and sensing synchronization event signals fromthe main camera controller 68 and the timing and data handling ASIC 122.

The timing and data handling ASIC 122 includes basic timing and datahandling circuits to provide the interface between the digital subsystemunit 72 and the analog subsystem unit 72 and the analog subsystem 70,the interface between the MPC823's LCD controller and the main screen36, and the interface between the MPC823 and a non-volatile memory cardconnected to the interface connection 130. For example, for theinterface between the analog subsystem unit 70 and the digital subsystemunit 72, the ASIC 122 includes an analog subsystem timing chain thatprovides clocks signals for the various components of the analogsubsystem unit 70 as image data flows from the analog subsystem unit 70and into the digital subsystem unit 72. The timing for the analogsubsystem 70 unit is line based, namely, the clocking, conditioning,conversion, and collection of image data for the pixels in a line, butadditional timing signals are provided by the microcontroller 120 tobegin each line, to begin a frame, and to control electronic exposure.The data handling circuit of the ASIC 122 collects the ten bit imagedata from the analog subsystem unit 70, applies a function to the datafor the purpose of compressing the data from ten bits to eight bits(selectable between a two bit right shift and a fixed function), packsthe data into thirty-two bit words, and places the data into a smallFIFO (32 bits wide by 2 bits deep) prior to subsequent transfer to themicrocontroller 120. For the interface to the main screen 36, the ASIC122 provides a timing chain that operates in conjunction with the LCDcontroller of the microcontroller 120 to refresh the main display screenunit 36 by providing both line rate and frame rate signals. The ASIC 122operates autonomously and requires no periodic intervention from themicrocontroller 120 in order to continuously refresh the main displayscreen unit 36. For the interface to a non-volatile memory card coupledto the interface connector 130, the ASIC 122 isolates the memory cardfrom the bus of the microcontroller 120 and also provides control signaltiming for accessing the memory card.

As described above, the digital subsystem unit 72 includes three typesof memory: DRAM based working memory 124, read only memory 128, andEPROM based non-volatile flash base camera memory 126 that is internallyfixed within the camera body 10. The working memory 124 is used duringimage data collection and processing, and also serves as a frame bufferfor the main display screen unit 36. The ROM 128 is used to store thebasic operating instructions for the microcontroller 120 of the digitalsubsystem unit 70. The EPROM based non-volatile flash base camera memory126 is used for storage of album images selected by the camera operatorand film mode images captured during the film imaging mode of operationthat correspond to photographic images. In addition, the flash memory126 is also utilized to store basic camera status and operating dataincluding the various operating modes selected by the camera operator.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the base camera memory 126 isfunctionally divided into a camera status storage section 123 forstoring the camera status and operational data, an album image storagesection 125 for storing album images, and a film mode image storagesection 127 for storing film mode digital images. As will be describedin greater detail, the operator can select certain images for albumstorage in the album storage section 125 of the base camera memory 126in addition to storage in a memory card (for example a flash memory cardor PCMCIA card) coupled to the interface connector 130 or capture onphotographic film. Alternatively, rather than using a removable memorycard, base memory 126 could include a non-volatile memory or storagesection for high resolution images captured in any mode.

The main camera controller 68 includes a microcontroller 140 thatcommunicates with the digital subsystem unit 72, camera operatorinterface 74, the light sensor 64 and the range finder module 62, inorder to control the operation of the various system componentsincluding the silver-halide optical system 14, the digital imagingoptical system 16, and the film transport 60. In addition, the maincamera controller 68 includes a magnetics 1/0 circuit 142 and a motordrive circuit 144 to respectively drive the magnetic head 108 of thefilm transport unit 60 and the various motors in the aperture, telephotoand focusing mechanisms of the silver-halide optical system 14 and thedigital imaging optical system 16. The main camera controller 68 alsomanages power up and power down sequencing, keeps track of calendar andtime, and controls the operation of the electronic flash unit 18.

In a preferred embodiment, a Mitsubishi 38000 series microcontroller isutilized for the microcontroller 140 of the main camera controller 68.The Mitsubishi 38000 series microcontroller includes a built-in LCDdriver, which can be utilized to drive the LCD status unit 22, and a lowspeed A/D converter with several multiplexed inputs. Several of the A/Dinputs are used to measure the signals from the perforation sensor 104and cartridge sensors 106 provided in the film transport unit 60. TheMitsubishi 38000 series microcontroller also has an extremely low powermode with low frequency operation, which allows the microcontroller towake up periodically to keep track of the time. During camera operation,the microcontroller 140 can switch to high frequency operation for theduration of any events requiring additional processing power, and thenswitch back to low frequency to conserve power. If a power on event isdetected (actuation of the shutter button, opening of the lens cover,opening and closing the film cartridge door, etc.), the microcontroller140 manages the power up sequencing for other subsystems by enablingappropriate modules within the power supply unit 76. The microcontroller140 holds the digital subsystem microcontroller 120 in reset until itspower supply from the power supply unit 76 is stable. An asynchronousserial interface allows the main camera controller 68 to receive andsend commands to and from the digital subsystem unit 72. Variousoperator controls discussed above that constitute part of the cameraoperator interface 74 are also sensed by the microcontroller's 140 inputlines.

The camera operator interface 74 includes the various operator controlsmentioned above in conjunction with the main screen display unit 36 andLCD status unit 22. The LCD status unit 22 is a preferably a monochromedevice to reduce power requirements, and includes segments fordisplaying conventional camera data including: time and date data;battery condition data; film speed data; exposure mode data; flash modedata; the presence of a film cartridge; and the number of film exposuresremaining. In addition, the LCD status unit 22 includes a segment thatindicates the presence of a memory card coupled to the interfaceconnector 130, and the number of images that can be stored on the memorycard. The main screen display unit 36 is a thin film transistor (TFT)type active matrix LCD available from Sharp, which includes 384 cellsper row by 220 rows in the display, consequently 84,480 bytes of workingmemory are required for the display frame buffer of the main screendisplay unit 36.

The power supply unit 76 preferably provides power to the othersubsystems of the camera from four AA cells 77 (lithium or alkaline) ora main source of power via a power adapter connection 79. A number ofpower modules are provided within the power supply unit 76 that can beindependently controlled by the main camera controller 68 including: anLCD power module 150; an analog subsystem module 152; a main powermodule 154; an LCD backlight power module 156; a digital subsystem powermodule 158; and a flash charger and control module 160. The LCDbacklight power module 156 is adjustable by the main camera controller68 to allow customer brightness adjustment and automatic compensationfor ambient light level. Power can be switched on and off independentlyfor the analog subsystem module 152, the digital subsystem module 158,and the main power module 154. The flash charger and control module 160charges up a flash capacitor 162 of the electronic flash unit 18. Aconventional sensing circuit provides an indication to the main cameracontroller 68 when the capacitor 160 is charged sufficiently to allow apicture to be taken. The main camera controller 68 triggers theflashtube 164 of the flash unit 18 by means of a dedicated control line.All of the power modules of the power supply unit 76 can be separatelyenabled and disabled by the main camera controller 68 in order toconserve power.

The basic function of the above-described hybrid camera in three imagecapture modes of operations will now be described in greater detail. Thethree image capture modes of operation include: a digital capture modein which digital mode digital images are captured and stored on a memorycard coupled to the interface connector 130; a film capture mode inwhich photographic images are captured on photographic film and filmmode digital images are captured and stored in the base camera memory126; and a hybrid capture mode in which hybrid mode digital images arecaptured for storage on a memory card and corresponding photographicimages are captured on photographic film. For the purposes of theinitial discussion of the three image capture modes, it will be assumedthat: a film cartridge has been loaded in the film transport unit 60; amemory card has been connected to the interface connector 130 of thedigital subsystem 72; and the camera is in a power down mode in whichthe main camera controller 68 is waiting for an initialization event.

The main camera controller 68 waits for an initialization event in apower down mode to conserve energy. The initialization event mayinclude, for example, the movement of the lens cover 12 to the extendedposition, which in turn activates a switch that supplies a correspondingsignal to the main camera controller 68 to power-up. In response to theinitialization event, the main camera controller 68 enters a power upmode and activates various power modules in the power supply unit 76 topower up the corresponding components of the camera. It should be notedthat the analog subsystem unit 70 and electronic subsystem unit 72 arepowered-up regardless of the type of image capture mode selected, as afull resolution and full size digital working image is generated andstored in the working memory 124 in each image capture mode. As will beexplained in greater detail, however, the processing of the workingimage varies based on the type of image capture mode selected. The maincamera controller 68 activates the LCD status unit 22 to display thecamera status information stored in the flash memory 126, and sets thedigital optical system 16, silver-halide optical system 14 andviewfinder 20 to the last image format previously selected oralternatively a default format.

At this point, the operator can initiate an exposure operation byactivating the shutter button 24. Alternatively, the operator may chooseto change either the image format or the image capture mode by operatingthe image format selector switch 30 and the image capture mode selectorswitch 23 accordingly. If the image format mode is changed, the maincamera controller 68 controls the viewfinder 20 to select theappropriate mask that corresponds to the selected image format settingcorresponding to the new image format. The operator may also choose touse the zoom control switch 25 to adjust the lens of the silver halideoptical system 14 and the digital optical system 16. The main cameracontroller 68 controls the operation of the zoom/focus mechanism 82 andthe telephoto mechanism 88 in response to signals received from the zoomcontrol switch 25. At the same time, the optical system 21 of theoptical viewfinder 20 is adjusted via the mechanical linkage 83 coupledto the zoom/focus mechanism 82. If the operator does not proceed with anexposure operation or the activation of some other camera functionwithin a predetermined time period, the main camera controller 68deactivates the LCD status unit 22 and controls the power supply unit 76to once again power down the camera to conserve energy.

As stated above, a digital working image is captured in all three imagecapture modes of operation that corresponds to an image resolution andhas an image size corresponding to an aspect ratio of the CCD imagesensor 94. The resolution of a digital image subsequently stored ordisplayed, however, is varied based on the type of image capture modeselected. In the digital image capture mode, a full resolution digitalmode image is stored without cropping in a memory card coupled to theinterface connector 130. See FIG. 13A, for example. In the film imagecapture mode, where the digital image will only be utilized for displayon the main screen display unit 36 to show the operator what wascaptured on film, a film mode image of a lower resolution is prepared byelectronically cropping and interpolating the full resolution digitalimage to respectively correspond to the resolution of the main screendisplay unit 36 and to the aspect ratio of the photographic film images,and is stored in the base camera memory 126. See FIGS. 13B-D, forexample. In the hybrid image capture mode, where it is desirable tomatch the image size of the digital image to the aspect ratio of theimage to be captured on photographic film but retain a high resolutiondigital image, the digital image is electronically cropped to create ahybrid mode image which is stored in a memory card coupled to theinterface connector 30. See also FIGS. 13B-D. Accordingly, a film modeimage and a hybrid mode image are essentially cropped versions of thedigital mode image with respectively different and equal resolutions.

Prior to exposure in any digital image capture mode, the main cameracontroller 68 initiates pre-exposure operations, such as autofocusingand exposure control operations to determine subject distance andexposure conditions, in order to properly set the apertures and lensesof the silver-halide optical system 14 and the digital imaging optical16 system and to determine if flash is required. In a preferredembodiment, the shutter button 24 is a two position switch. When theshutter button 24 is pressed to the first position, a signal is sent tothe main camera controller 68 to perform the necessary pre-exposureoperations. If the camera is in the power down mode, the movement of theshutter button 24 to the first position also causes the main cameracontroller 68 to initiate the power up mode prior to performing thepre-exposure operation. When the shutter button 24 is pressed to thesecond position, an exposure signal is sent to the main cameracontroller 68 to initiate an exposure operation.

When an exposure operation is initiated in the digital image capturemode, the main camera controller 68 informs the digital subsystem unit72 that a full resolution and full size digital mode image is to becaptured and stored in a memory card coupled to the interface connector130. The microcontroller 120 of the digital subsystem unit 72 sends thenecessary control signals to the analog subsystem unit 70 to initiateimage capture with the CCD image sensor 94, to process the analog imagesignals from the CCD image sensor 94 with the CDS circuit 114, theprogrammable gain amplifier 116, and the A/D converter 118, and tosupply a full resolution and full size digital working image to theworking memory 124 of the digital subsystem 72. The full resolution andfull size digital working image is then transferred to the interfaceconnector 130 by the microcontroller 120 for subsequent storage in thememory card as a digital mode image.

When an exposure operation is initiated in the film capture mode, a fullresolution and full size digital working image is again supplied fromthe analog subsystem unit 72 to the working memory 124 of the digitalsubsystem unit 70. At the same time, the aperture/shutter mechanism 80of the silver-halide optical system 14 is activated by the main cameracontroller 68 so that scene light is supplied to the image plane 100 ofthe film transport unit 60. Accordingly, a photographic film image iscaptured that corresponds to the digital working image stored in theworking memory 124. In the case of the film capture mode, however, thedigital image will be utilized primarily for display purposes to enablethe camera operator to verify what was captured on the correspondingphotographic film image. However, by using main control unit 38 to enteran editing mode and using the display of FIG. 15, the last captureddigital image may still be stored in the memory card. To store a filmimage for display, the microcontroller 120 of the digital subsystem unit72 generates and transfers a lower resolution representation of the fullresolution digital working image as a film mode image in a film imagestorage section of the flash memory 126. In addition, the working imageis cropped in size so that the film mode image corresponds to the aspectratio of the corresponding photographic film image, as the film modeimage need only contain the same scene information as the correspondingphotographic film image. The reduction of the resolution and size of thefilm mode image permits the size of the film image storage section inthe flash memory 126 to be minimized. As the flash memory 126 isintegrated and internal to the camera structure, it is preferable tominimize the amount of memory required for the flash memory 126 in orderto reduce the expense and size of the overall camera. Accordingly,standard image compression techniques, for example JPEG, are preferablyutilized to compress the film mode image prior to storage. The film modeimage is preferably tagged with identification data (ID data) theindicates the film frame number of the corresponding film image, so thefilm mode images stored in the film mode image storage section 127 canbe properly matched to their corresponding photographic film images whendisplayed on the main screen display unit 36 in response to a displaysignal supplied to the microcontroller 120 from the camera operatorinterface 74.

In the hybrid image capture mode, a full size working image is againcaptured with a corresponding photographic film image and supplied tothe working memory 124 of the digital subsystem 70. As in a film modecapture operation, the microcontroller 120 does not transfer thecomplete digital image, but generates and transfers a reduced sizeddigital image to the interface connector 130 for storage in the memorycard as a hybrid mode image. The reduced sized hybrid mode digitalimage, as with the film mode image, has an aspect ratio that correspondsto the aspect ratio of the corresponding photographic film image, butmaintains the same resolution as the working image stored in the workingmemory 124. The effective cropping of the size of the working image tomatch the aspect ratio of the corresponding photographic image allowsfor a reduction in the amount of memory required to store a hybrid modeimage as compared with a digital mode image. Accordingly, a greaternumber of hybrid mode images can be stored on the memory card ascompared with digital mode images. In the case of either hybrid modeimages or digital mode images, it is further preferable to have themicrocontroller 120 compress the images prior to storage as with thefilm mode images. Although a loss of information results from thecropping of the working images when storing a hybrid mode image, theimage information removed to produce the hybrid mode image is notrequired, as the hybrid mode image contains the same image informationas the corresponding photographic image. If the camera operator wishesto retain all image information, then a digital mode image should becaptured instead of a hybrid mode image in the illustrated embodiment.

In a preferred embodiment, the last captured working image remains inthe working memory 124 until a new exposure operation is initiatedregardless of the image capture mode selected, and regardless of whetherthe film cartridge is removed from the film chamber 98 or the memorycard is removed from the interface connector 130. A quick review switch37, illustrated in FIG. 5, is provided on the back of the camera body10. At any time after the capture of an image and before capture of anext image, the review switch 37 can be activated by the camera operatorto display the last captured working image on the main screen displayunit 36 as a review image. The last captured working image thus can bedisplayed without requiring the availability of the non-volatile memoryof the memory card. Activation of the review switch 37 provides a signalto the microcontroller 120 to initiate the transfer of the working imagestored in the working memory 124 to the LCD drive circuit 132 forsubsequent display on the main screen display unit 36 as a review image.It should be noted that during the exposure operation described above,the main screen display unit 36 is not activated unless specificallyturned on by the camera operator. Accordingly, when the review switch 37is activated, the microcontroller 120 activates the main screen displayunit 36 to display the review image, either for a predetermined periodof time or until the review switch 37 is deactivated, and thendeactivates the main screen display unit 36 to enter the powerconservation mode.

In contrast to the last working image, the film mode images stored inthe film mode image storage section 127 of the flash memory 126 arepreferably erased by the microcontroller 120 when the film is rewoundinto the cartridge. The size of the film mode image storage section 127of the flash memory 126 need therefore only be sufficient to store anumber of film mode images corresponding to the maximum number of filmimages that could be captured on one film cartridge. As stated above, itis desirable to limit the size of the film mode image storage section127 to reduce the expense and size of the camera.

Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, digital images correspondingto images captured on photographic film are only retained in the hybridimage capture mode unless selected for album storage as will bedescribed in greater detail.

The camera operator can initiate a review of all digital images storedin either a memory card or the base camera memory 126 by activating themain screen display unit operation switch 39, thereby sending a displaysignal to the microcontroller 120. Review of film mode imagescorresponding to images captured on film is accomplished by setting themain screen display unit operation switch 39 to the illustrated "F" or"FILM" setting. In response, the microcontroller 120 retrieves thedigital film mode image stored in the film mode image storage section127 of the base camera memory 126 corresponding to the last photographicfilm image taken and displays the image on the main screen display unit36. The camera operator can then manually scroll through digital filmmode images in forward and reverse directions by utilizing the rightdirectional switch 48 of the main screen operator control unit 38 or theleft directional switch 52. Similarly, digital images stored in eitherthe digital image capture mode or hybrid image capture mode can bedisplayed and scrolled by utilizing the same directional switches andsetting the operation switch 39 to the illustrated "D" or "DIGITAL"setting. In addition, instead of starting at the last image stored ineither the base camera memory 126 or the memory card, a menu optionwindow can be displayed on the main screen display unit 36 to allow theoperator to select a specific image as the first image to be displayed.

Still further, instead of requiring the operator to enter a manualcommand to scroll through each image, a "slide show" option ispreferably provided to allow the automatic scrolling of images aftereither predetermined time periods or time periods selected by theoperator. For example, upon setting the operation switch 39 to aselected setting, the microcontroller 120 of the digital subsystem 72sends a scroll option window to the main screen display unit 36 fordisplay. The scroll option window includes a "Manual Scroll" icon and an"Slide Show" icon as illustrated in FIG. 8. The camera operator utilizesthe main screen operator control unit 38 to enter control signals to themicrocontroller 120 to select the desired scroll option. Themicrocontroller 120 sends an image selection list to the main screendisplay 36 for operator selection that includes a "Last Image Recorded"icon and a "Selected Image" icon as shown in FIG. 9. If the "Last ImageRecorded" icon is selected by the operator, the microcontroller 120controls the transfer and display of the stored digital images in eithermanual or automatic scrolling modes starting with the last imagerecorded and then decrements. If the "Selected Image" icon is selectedby the operator, the microcontroller 120 controls the display unit 36 todisplay a selected image list as illustrated in FIG. 10. The operatorcan then scroll through the numeric list and select the desired startingimage using the main screen operator control unit 38. Alternatively,different user interfaces can be employed, for example scrolling numbersor the display of a virtual keyboard on the display unit 36, to allowthe operator to select a specific image as the start image. Stillfurther, a small keyboard or keypad can be incorporated in the camera aspart of the camera operator interface 74. If the automatic scroll modeis selected, a further user interface window (not shown) is displayed onthe main display screen 36 to allow the operator to select a desiredtime period between images or a default time period previously stored inmemory.

In addition to scrolling through the stored images, a more advancedgraphical user interface can be incorporated to permit the operator toselect various camera functions. For example, as shown in FIG. 11,camera function icons are displayed in an icon group 200 on the mainscreen display unit 36 to edit information related to the images(including conventional APS data), obtain help information, enter userdefined data into the camera or perform other functions. An imagedisplay area 202 is used to display the digital image being reviewed oredited the display area 202 to indicate the respective position of thedisplayed digital image in its associated memory. A function namedisplay area 206 displays the camera function currently selected. Afunction data entry area 208 displays data associated with the selectedcamera function. If desired, the icon group 200 can be generated astransparent icons that can be laid over the displayed digital image, sothat the size of the image display area 202 can be expanded and thecamera operator can see the displayed digital image through thedisplayed icons.

Each camera function selectable by the camera operator has acorresponding individual icon in the icon group 200. In the illustratedexample, a copy number function is accessed by selecting a copy numbericon 210, an image format function is accessed by selecting an imageformat icon 212, a title function is accessed by selecting a title icon214, an album function is accessed by selecting an album icon 216, and amagnifying function is accessed by selecting a magnification icon 218.The camera operator activates the edit switch 40 to cause the firstfunction icon displayed in the icon group 200, in this case the copynumber icon 210, on the main screen display unit 36 to be highlighted.The up directional switch 46 and the down direction switch 50 areutilized to advance through the displayed function icons until thedesired title icon 208 is highlighted. For example, by activating thedown direction switch 50 twice, the highlighted icon sequentially movesfrom the copy number icon 210 to the image format icon 212 and then tothe title icon 214. Once the desired function icon is highlighted, forexample the title icon 214, the operator presses the edit switch 40 toenter the highlighted function mode. The name of the function mode isdisplayed in the function name display area 206 of the main screendisplay unit 36 and the current data for the selected image is displayedin the function data entry area 208. In the case of titles, the updirectional switch 46 and the down directional switch 50 are utilized toscroll through pre-programmed titles. Alternatively, the operator canenter a desired title by scrolling through and selecting individualcharacters displayed in the function data entry area 208. A function isexited by pressing the exit switch 42.

In a preferred embodiment, if the operator changes the title of onedigital image and then uses the directional switches to selected anotherdigital image without exiting the title function, the title selected forthe previous digital image will be automatically selected for the newlyselected digital image. The title will continue to be maintained for alldigital images viewed in the title function mode until the cameraoperator either exits the function or selects a new title. Accordingly,the camera operator can modify a sequence of images to have the sametitle in a quick and convenient manner.

The camera operator can change the image format of the displayed hybridor film mode image by selecting the image format function icon 212 toenter the image format function as illustrated in FIG. 12. The operatorcan select image formats including classic, HDTV and panoramic formatsassociated with conventional APS cameras. Film mode images and hybridmode images are stored and displayed on the main screen display 36 in a9:16 aspect ratio corresponding to the aspect ratio of the silver-halideimage system 14, and digital mode images are stored and displayed in a3:4 aspect ratio corresponding to the aspect ratio of the CCD imagesensor 94. The image format selected by the operator before the imagewas captured is displayed in the function data entry area 208. Theoperator then uses the main screen operator control unit 38 to edit theimage format selection. In a preferred embodiment, the full availabledigital image for a given image capture mode is displayed and a mask 220may be used to indicate to the operator which portions of the image willbe excluded for a given selected digital image, when an eventualphotographic print is made from the corresponding film image. FIG. 12,for example, illustrates a digital mode image that is being displayed inHDTV format. Accordingly, the operator can change an image format, forexample from classic format to a panoramic format, and compare thedifferences between the two formats before making a final decision as towhich format is desired for the selected image. FIG. 13A illustrates anuncropped digital format. FIGS. 13B, C and D illustrate the same digitalformat cropped, respectively, to the film or hybrid HDTV format, thefilm or hybrid panoramic format, and the film or hybrid classic format.

The film mode images, hybrid mode images and digital mode images arestored as image records that include an ID file, an image informationfile (IIF) and an image data field (IDF) as illustrated in FIG. 14. TheID file contains data identifying the images and includes, for example,the frame number tag of a corresponding photographic film image in thecase of film mode images and hybrid mode images. The IIF contains imagedata related to the images and includes, for example, conventional APSdata in addition to other data associated with the image that can beentered by the camera operator through the camera operator interface 74or downloaded via the data communications port 136. The IDF contains theactual pixel data for the digital image. When an editing operation isperformed, the IIF for the corresponding digital image is updated withthe edited data by the microcontroller 120.

Further, in the cased mode images, the operator edited data is alsowritten back to the magnetic recording tracks of the correspondingphotographic film image. Accordingly, changes selected by the operator,as with data written to the film during the image capture operation, canbe transmitted to a photo finisher with the exposed photographic film.

Data is conventionally written to the magnetic recording tracks of thephotographic film by the magnetic head 108 after an exposure operationis completed and the film is advanced from one frame to the next frameby the film transport unit 60. Accordingly, when editing information hasbeen entered with respect to film mode images or hybrid mode images, thephotographic film is rewound and advanced once again by the filmtransport unit 60 so that the edited data can be written to photographicfilm by the magnetic head 108. Alternatively, the editing informationcan be written to the photographic film during a rewind operation priorto removing a film cartridge from the camera. In this manner, it ispossible to edit data written to the photographic film at any time,either prior to the removal of the film cartridge 98 or even afterre-insertion of a film cartridge into the film chamber 98.

If the camera operator would like to save a particular image for futurereview, even after a film cartridge or memory card is removed, thecamera operator can select the album function icon 216 in the functionicon group as illustrated in FIG. 15. When the album function 216 isselected, the digital image displayed on the main screen display unit 36can be selectively stored as an album image in the album image storagesection 125 of the base camera memory 126 by using the directionalswitches to select either a "Yes" or "No" album copy option. A storedalbum image remains in the base camera memory 126 until specificallydeleted by the camera operator. Accordingly, the camera includes anintegrated album of stored images that remains with the camera. Ifdesired, the album image storage section 125 of the non-volatile flashmemory 126 can be further sub-divided into different album storagesub-sections (125a, 125b, 125c, 125d, etc. as shown in FIG. 7), so thatthe camera operator can store related images (for example related bysubject, date or time) in the same album sub-section or different cameraoperators can utilize different album sub-sections to store theirrespective images. In the event of different camera operators, passwordprotections are preferably utilized so that deletion and/or viewing ofimages can be performed only by the operator that stored the images.

Album images, as with film mode images, have a resolution correspondingto the resolution of the main screen display unit 36. The size of thealbum image preferably corresponds to the size of the underlying digitalimage selected for album storage. For example, if a film mode image or ahybrid mode image is selected for album storage, the size of the albumimage will correspond to the image size of the hybrid mode image.Alternatively, if a digital mode image is selected from album storage,the size of the album image will correspond to the image size of thedigital mode image.

The images stored in the album may be accessed by setting display unitoperation switch 39 to the "A" or "ALBUM" position shown in FIG. 5. Animage in the album will be displayed on main display unit 36. Thedirectional switches 48, 52 may then be used to scroll up or down andchange the image displayed. The edit switch 40 may be used to displaythe screen of FIG. 16 and the slide show feature discussed above canalso be utilized to display the album images. FIG. 16, for example,illustrates a slide show icon 222 that, when selected, allows the cameraoperator to activate the slide show feature. While in the slide showfunction, the up directional switch 46 and the down directional switch50 are used to control the speed at which images are presented or adefault speed can be utilized. In a preferred embodiment, themicrocontroller 120 will control the display of each album image oncewhen the camera is powered by batteries 77 and then exit the function toconserve energy. When the camera is connected to a main power source viathe power adapter connector 79 , the microcontroller 120 will controlthe display of the album images so that they continue to scroll throughuntil the operator activates the exit switch 42. A delete icon 228 maybe used to remove images from the album.

Other functions include a magnifying function that allows the operatorto temporarily magnify the image of the main display screen 36 when themagnification icon 218 is selected, a utilities function that allows theoperator to enter time and date information when the utilities icon 224is selected, a help function that the operator can access to obtaininformation from a help menu when the help icon 226 is selected, and aprint copy function that can be accessed by clicking on the print copyicon 210. By entering the number of print copy function, the cameraoperator can select the number of prints desired from a photographicfilm image corresponding to either a film mode digital image or a hybridmode digital image. The number of prints data is then written to thecorresponding photographic film image by the magnetic head 108.Similarly, an image processing function is preferably incorporated thatpermits the operator to crop and pan images, where the image processingdata is written to the photographic film for subsequently retrieval anduse by a photo finisher.

In order to offer the operator the opportunity to edit image informationprior to removal of a film cartridge from the film chamber 98, it ispreferable not to have the film automatically rewind after thecompletion of a roll. Instead, an indicator is provided, for example anLED indicator in the viewfinder, informing the camera operator that theend of roll has been reached. At this point, the camera operator canpress a rewind switch to institute film rewinding if editing of imageinformation is not desired. If editing is desired, however, the cameraoperator turns on the main display unit 36 the microcontroller 120causes a current film order window of the type illustrated in FIG. 17 tobe display indicating the type of images captured. The camera operatorcan then activate the edit switch 40 to cause the camera to go into themodes described above or activate the exit switch 42 to cause filmrewinding.

It is desirable to provide a mechanism for identifying the hybrid modeimages stored on the memory card with the film cartridge containing thecorresponding film images. In one embodiment, the detection of theinsertion of a film cartridge by the cartridge sensors 106 causes themicrocontroller 120 to display a film cartridge identification promptsillustrated in FIG. 18. The camera operator then utilizes the mainscreen operator control unit 38 to scroll through alphanumericcharacters until a desired character is highlighted. The camera operatorthen presses the edit switch 40 to select the highlighted characterwhich is then displayed in a ID display area 230. The camera operatorcontinues to select characters until the exit switch 42 is pressed toexit the function. The user is prompted to enter a roll identificationcode each time a film cartridge is inserted into the film chamber 98.The microcontroller 120 then tags each film mode image and hybrid modeimage with the roll identification code and frame number for eachcorresponding photographic image as part of the ID file.

Alternatively, an automatic mechanism for providing roll identificationcan be incorporated into the camera. For example, the cartridge sensors106 include a cartridge identification sensor 107 that reads anoptically encoded or magnetically encoded roll or cartridgeidentification code provided on a film cartridge, and supplies theidentification code to the main camera controller 68 for transfer to themicrocontroller 120 . The microcontroller 120 can thereforeautomatically tag each digital image, whether a film mode image orhybrid mode image, with the corresponding film cartridge ID. Although itis preferable to include the cartridge identification sensor 107 withinthe film chamber 98, it is also possible to provide the cartridgeidentification sensor 107 in the main body 10 of the camera in a mannerpermitting the camera operator to pass a film cartridge over thecartridge identification sensor 107 prior to inserting it into the filmchamber 98. Also, the CCD array 94 could be used to image anidentification code on a cartridge held before the camera, after whichcontroller 120 would process the image of the cartridge to extract thecode. Still further, the main body 10 can be provided with a detachable"wand" with the cartridge identification sensor 107 located on the endof the wand, thereby allowing the camera operator to scan the filmcartridge with the wand to enter the cartridge identification data. Inaddition, roll or cartridge identification code can be provided on themagnetic layer of the photographic film, such as in the form of a headerfile on the leader portion of the film. The magnetic head 108 is thenused to read the header file and transfer the roll identification codeto the main camera controller 74 and subsequently the microcontroller120. The microcontroller 102 then stores the roll identification code aspart of the ID file for a hybrid mode image or a film mode image.

In a preferred embodiment, only those hybrid mode images correspondingphotographic film images located on the film cartridge presentlyretained within the camera are displayed during a scrolling, review orediting operation, thereby preventing the camera operator from editinginformation related to a hybrid mode image when the editing informationcannot be stored on the corresponding photographic film image.Alternatively, the camera operator may be permitted to scroll throughall of the hybrid mode images stored on the memory card. In the event,however, that the camera operator attempts to edit a hybrid mode imagethat does not have a corresponding photographic film image on thepresently retained film cartridge, a warning indication is displayed onthe main display screen unit 36 advising the operator to insert thecorrect film cartridge. Once the correct film cartridge is inserted, thecamera operator is permitted to edit the information and the informationis updated on the magnetic recording tracks of the correspondingphotographic film image.

In a further embodiment, instead of writing a cartridge identificationcode on the hybrid mode image, a memory card identification code can bewritten to a film cartridge or the magnetic recording tracks of eachcorresponding photographic film image. In such a case, themicrocontroller 120 keeps an identification table that indicates whichfilm exposure corresponds to a given hybrid mode image. For example,when a film cartridge is removed, the information contained in the tableis written to the photographic film, preferably in the form of a headerfile at the leader portion of the photographic film. Accordingly, when amemory card is inserted into the camera and the editing mode is selectedto edit hybrid mode images, the microcontroller 120 can identify whetherthe film cartridge presently in the camera would contain imagescorresponding to the hybrid mode image desired to be edited. If not, theoperator is notified and prompted to change the film cartridge. When anew cartridge is entered the identification table is updated with theinformation corresponding to that particular cartridge. It would beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other addressingschemes can be employed to provide identification tags for correspondingrolls and memory card.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the camera body 10 can be connected to a hostcomputer 232 via data communication port 136. When tethered to the hostcomputer 232, all operator inputs usually selected by the variousswitches provided by the camera operator interface 74 can be sent to thecamera by the host computer 232. Accordingly, the camera can be operatedremotely by a local operator working on the host computer 232 or aremote operator working on a remote computer 234 linked to the hostcomputer 232 by any form of communication link 233. In one embodiment, agraphical user interface is displayed on a monitor 236 of the hostcomputer 232 (or the remote computer 234) including virtual switchesrepresenting each of the actual control switches of the camera asillustrated in FIG. 20. Utilizing an interface device such as a "mouse", the operator can "click" on any of the virtual control switches toactivate the corresponding function in the camera as if the actualbutton or switch on the camera were being depressed.

As it may be desirable to have the computer operator remain at thecomputer instead of using the viewfinder 20 to frame a subject image, avirtual viewfinder is provided by utilizing the CCD image sensor 94 toimage the subject scene, either in a still image mode or a motion imagemode, and supply a digital viewfinder image 238 to the computer monitor236 for viewfinding purposes. For example, a working image is capturedevery second and supplied from the working memory 124 to the hostcomputer 232 via the data communication port 136 under control of themicrocontroller 120. When the subject image is appropriate, the computeroperator then activates the virtual shutter button displayed on thecomputer monitor 236 to cause image capture.

The computer operator can perform a variety of image processingfunctions on digital images downloaded from the camera. For example,image processing software can be utilized in the host computer 232 toperform zoom, pan and crop functions on any portion of a displayedimage, attach special borders for special occasions, and print theedited images on a printer. Image data generated by the host computer232 can be transferred back to the camera to update the imageinformation files of film mode images stored in the base camera memory126 or of hybrid mode and digital mode images contained in a memory cardcoupled to the interface connector 130. In addition, data generated bythe host computer can be transferred to the camera for writing on themagnetic layer of the photographic film by the magnetic head 108.Accordingly, a computer operator can generate photo-finishing data onthe host computer 232 and transfer the photo-finishing data directly tothe photographic film in the camera, such that when the film ispresented to a photo-finisher, the data can be retrieved from thephotographic film and utilized in a photo- finishing operation. Stillfurther, album images contained in the host computer 232 can betransferred to the camera for storage in the album image storage section125 of the base camera memory 126.

The utilization of the host computer 232 to perform editing operationsprovides the advantage of having more advanced processing poweravailable to perform the editing operations and a larger monitor makingit easier to view the edited images. However, the same editing functionscan be included within the functions available to the camera operator.The camera operator can therefore perform image processing functionsincluding zooming, cropping and panning utilize the camera controlinterface 74 in conjunction with a user interface displayed on the maindisplay screen unit 36. Similarly, data corresponding to the editingoperation is stored on the photographic film by writing the editing datato the film with the magnetic head 108.

The camera structure described above provides a number of distincttechnical advantages. The provision of the album image storage section125 in the internal base camera memory 126 provides a convenient andpractical method of allowing the camera operator to store digital imagesthat can be easily transported and displayed. The provision of the quickreview switch 37 enables an camera operator to quickly review the lastimage captured, while at the same time conserving energy by allowing themain display screen 36 to remain deactivated until specifically requiredfor the quick review. The provision of the data communication portallows the camera to be conveniently coupled to the host computer 232,thereby allowing the host computer 232 to control the operation of thecamera. In addition, the host computer 232 can transfer data, includingalbum images, directly for storage in the main camera memory 126 or amemory card coupled to the interface connector 130, and also transferdata to photographic film contained in the camera by writing the data tothe photographic film with the magnetic head 108. Still further, thecamera operator interface 74 in operation with the main display screenunit 36 provides a convenient method of entering cartridgeidentification data into the camera, thereby allowing hybrid mode imagesstored on a memory card to be tagged with the cartridge identificationcode of a film cartridge containing corresponding photographic images.

The invention has been described with reference to certain preferredembodiments thereof. It will be understood, however, that modificationsand variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Forexample, the invention has been described with reference to an exemplarygraphical user interface. It will be understood, however, that specificsof the user interface utilized to present and select camera functionscan vary widely. In addition, modifications in the overall architectureof the camera are possible. For example, a single optical system can beutilized to provide scene light to both the CCD image sensor 94 and theimage plane 100 of the film transport unit 60.

Parts List

10 . . . main camera body

12 . . . sliding lens cover

14 . . . silver-halide optical system

16 . . . digital imaging optical system

18 . . . electronic flash unit

19 . . . masking device

20 . . . optical viewfinder

21 . . . optical system

22 . . . LCD status unit

23 . . . image capture mode selector switch

24 . . . shutter button

25 . . . zoom control switch

26 . . . picture taking mode selector switch

28 . . . flash mode selector switch

30 . . . timer mode selector switch

32 . . . image format selector switch

34 . . . hinged support element

36 . . . main screen display unit

37 . . . review switch

38 . . . main screen operator control unit

39 . . . display mode selection switch

40 . . . edit switch

42 . . . exit switch

44 . . . directional switch unit

46 . . . up directional switch

48 . . . right directional switch

50 . . . down directional switch

52 . . . left directional switch

54 . . . memory card door

56 . . . battery compartment door

58 . . . film chamber door

60 . . . film transport unit

62 . . . range finding module

64 . . . light sensor

68 . . . main camera controller

70 . . . analog subsystem unit

72 . . . digital subsystem unit

74 . . . camera operator interface

76 . . . power supply unit

77 . . . AA cells

78 . . . multi-element lens

79 . . . power adapter connector

80 . . . aperture/shutter mechanism

82 . . . zoom/focus mechanism

84 . . . multi-element lens

86 . . . blur filter

88 . . . telephoto drive mechanism

90 . . . aperture drive mechanism

92 . . . aperture

94 . . . image sensor

96 . . . film drive

98 . . . film chamber

100 . . .image plane

102 . . . winding spool

104 . . . film perforation sensor

106 . . . cartridge sensors

107 . . . cartridge identification sensor

108 . . . magnetic head

110 . . . vertical clock drive circuit

112 . . . horizontal clock drive circuit

114 . . . CDS circuit

116 . . . programmable gain amplifier

118 . . . A/D converter

120 . . . microcontroller

122 . . . application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)

124 . . . DRAM working memory

125 . . . album storage section

126 . . . base camera flash memory

127 . . . film mode image storage section

128 . . . read only memory (ROM)

130 . . . memory card interface connector

132 . . . LCD interface drive circuitry

134 . . . standard communications interface circuit

136 . . . data communications port

140 . . . microcontroller

142 . . . magnetics I/O

144 . . . motor drivers

150 . . . LCD power module

152 . . . analog subsystem module

154 . . . main power module

156 . . . LCD backlight power module

158 . . . digital subsystem power module

160 . . . flash charger and control module

162 . . . a flash capacitor

164 . . . flashtube

200 . . . icon group

202 . . . image display area

204 . . . a scroll bar

206 . . . function name display area

208 . . . function data entry area

210 . . . copy number icon

212 . . . image format icon

214 . . . title icon

216 . . . album icon

218 . . . magnification icon

220 . . . mask

222 . . . slide show icon

224 . . . utilities icon

226 . . . help icon

228 . . . delete icon

232 . . . host computer

233 . . . communications link

234 . . . remote computer

236 . . . monitor

238 . . . digital viewfinder image

what is claimed is:
 1. A camera comprising:a) a digital imagingsubsystem including an image sensor for producing a digital image of ascene, the digital image having a sensor aspect ratio and an imagesensor resolution; b) a photographic film subsystem for capturing a filmimage of the scene, the film image having a film aspect ratio differentfrom the sensor aspect ratio; c) a display screen having a displayresolution lower than the image sensor resolution; d) a working memorycoupled to an output of the digital imaging subsystem for receiving andtemporarily storing a digital image captured by the digital imagingsubsystem; e) a base memory fixed in the camera for storing digitalimages at the display resolution; f) a high resolution memory forstoring digital images at the image sensor resolution; and g) a controlprocessor coupled to the digital imaging subsystem, the photographicfilm subsystem, the display screen, the working memory, the base memory,and the high resolution memory for selectively operating the camera inone of three modes,i) a digital capture mode wherein a first digitalimage of a scene is produced by the digital imaging subsystem,temporarily stored in the working memory, displayed on the displayscreen in the sensor aspect ratio and transferred to the high resolutionmemory, where it is stored at the sensor aspect ratio and image sensorresolution; ii) a film capture mode wherein an image of a scene iscaptured on photographic film by the photographic film subsystem and afirst digital image of the scene is produced by the digital imagingsubsystem, the first digital image is temporarily stored in the workingmemory and displayed on the display screen in the film aspect ratio, anda film mode digital image having the film aspect ratio and displayresolution is generated from the first digital image by the controlprocessor and transferred to the base memory, and iii) a hybrid capturemode wherein an image of a scene is captured on photographic film by thephotographic film subsystem, a first digital image of the scene isproduced by the digital imaging subsystem, the first digital image istemporarily stored in the working memory and displayed on the displayscreen in the film aspect ratio, and a hybrid mode digital image havingthe film aspect ratio and the image sensor resolution is generated fromthe first digital image by the control processor and transferred to thehigh resolution memory.
 2. The camera claimed in claim 1, wherein thecontrol processor is also adapted for selectively operating the camerain an album mode wherein an image that is being displayed on the displayscreen at a given aspect ratio is transferred to the base memory andstored as an album mode digital image at the display resolution and thegiven aspect ratio.
 3. The camera claimed in claim 2, wherein thecontrol processor erases the film mode digital images from the basememory in response to a film cartridge being removed from the camera. 4.The camera claimed in claim 2, wherein the control processor erases anyhybrid mode digital images that have not been selected for storage asalbum mode digital images in response to the film cartridge beingremoved from the camera.
 5. The camera claimed in claim 2, wherein thecamera further comprises a removable memory interface connection and thehigh resolution memory is a removable memory device connected to theinterface.
 6. The camera claimed in claim 2, wherein the last captureddigital image remains in the working memory until a new exposureoperation is initiated.
 7. The camera claimed in claim 6, furthercomprising a quick review switch connected to the control processor forcausing the control processor to display the last captured digital imageon the display screen.
 8. The camera claimed in claim 2, wherein thecontrol processor compresses the digital images prior to storage in thebase camera memory.